Butte semi-weekly miner., 1887-03-30
OUR SEALS AND COINS.
i PROTEST AGAINST NATIONAL OUT
RACES UPON HERALDlc ART.

| The Objections Of Venerable Dssignes
His Reasons why-Ths Bald-Hsade'
Eaele In His Absurd Posss-An APpro
pirate Devies.
81. Goldsborough BruR," as he dgu
| himself, has invited the attention OF con
gress to the s'unprecedented Irregularities
| and "absurdnies'' of the heraldic devices
| adopted for seals and coins by this go 'ern
ment.
Mr.. Bruff explains that owing to lac1
| Of knowledge this government made falls
| start. The art Of heraldry was unknown
| in this country infancy, he says, and stand
| ard works were unattainable. "In conse
quence thereof the new republic was unable
| to obtain q proper device for its national
signet until July 20, 1882, and the device
then adopted Of admirable symbolism, is
baseless fabric, not being blazoned upon an
escutcheon or shield, and hence we have
never had national escutcheon OF heraldlc
arms, unprecedented in the annals OF her
aldry. Being thus deprived of that basis,
the requisite of all heraldic achievements,
the government utilized subcharge of the
arms proper, and as popularity denominated
the national shield or escutcheon, which it
is not nor ever can be-"
Having no genuine escutcheon, no basis
or standard to start with, this government
has gradually collected an accumulation oi
designs which Mr.. Bruff characterizes as
stranging from Indifferent and peculiar to
absurd" He goes on to say:
"An nations of the civilized world save
our own have enstamped upon their gold
and silver coinage the true heraldic arms of
their individual sovereignty, and with strict
numismatic prcpriety exclude irrelevant,
fanciful ideas. The American bald eagle
is displayed in every conceivable attitude
and position, and legcnerated to numerous
species Of the United States mint genius.
FREE AND EASY ART.
1.-THE peculiar style Of distributing the
elements of the national arms over the faces
Of the coin, including mottoes and legends
unregardful Of significant proprety, is re-
markable art exhibition of the genius of our
free institutions Compare the digni6ed
propriety represented in the devices upon
some Of the earlier coinage: Observe, a
classic bust with legend Liberty and re-
verse, the national arms as adopted, which
compare with the handsome female head
filleted Liberty though crowned with
grain, ETC., as if also to represent the god
dess Ceres or Abundance, doubtless multi
fold genius as the motto overhead would in
innate, e pluribus unum.' Upon close ex-
animation a small cap is seem amid the
redundant ringlets, apparently falling off.
Reverse, crucified eagle severely dis
played, minus the escutcheon on his breast,
or the eagle volant without its appropriate
motto, 'Excelsior). As though disguised
with his vicissitude and general bad treat
ment by the ruling powers he has discarded
his Shield of the Union,' olive branch and
three arrows typical We suppose of thirteen)
and ascends to the starry regions of purity
and truth. (The square, heavy perspective
is good, but why extend his legs, as storks
and herons do3
THE MAD EAGLE.
"1n another issue an enraged eagle has
discovered the discarded American shield
prostrate in the weeds, and having picked
up the arrows and branch pounces upon the
debased escutcheon, defiantly warning off
the despoilers, Notices become legends,
and legends notices. The Goddess of Lib
erty, duly labeled, rests herself upon rock,
with staff and cap and escutcheon, but
looks back apprehensive of some mishap.
AuAS - AuOtuoT pudSo OI Tue ever varying
diverse. Reverse of which may be one
variety there are several of them) of the
lame eagle: dexter wing horizontally ex-
tended, and sinister, or left, nearly closed
and vertical, and the usual distribution Of
stars, motto, etc. The latest absurdity, so
eminently puritanical, not in keeping with
the times, unauthorized by enactment, is the
Gothic legend between the wings of the cru
Gifted eagle Of In God We trust
"Our patriotic fathers put their trust in
God and kept their powder dry. Oliver
Cromwell had engraved upon some bronze
guns Teach US to shower forth thy praise,
., Lord Too lengthy for our coin, but so
applied more beneficent-in diffusion of
wealth. The most appropriately consistent
device for establishment of the coin of our
country would be-obverse: A bust of the
head of the Father of His Coun.
try, with motto of Liberty. Reverse: The
precise heraldic arms of the United States
Of America, and no other stellar ornament
Than the constellation crest, and no other
legend than the title. value and date. and
motto of arms. Such would be creditable to
Dur nationality, and place US among the
most favored nations Of Christendom. ~
Globe Democrat.